China braces for return to work as coronavirus deaths exceed Sars

End of extended lunar new year break seen as crucial test of containment strategy

China has recorded its deadliest day so far in the coronavirus outbreak, as authorities braced for millions of people to return to work on Monday after the lunar new year break in a new test of the nation’s containment strategy.

At least 813 people are reported to have died from the disease, most of them in mainland China, according to official data released on Sunday which showed that the previous day’s toll was the highest yet at nearly 90.